Head show theme was 'particularly appropriate'

Today I am writing to let you fourth graders know what a
wonderful job you all did with the head show on Jan. 24. For those
of you who do not know what the head show is, it is a play put on
by fourth graders at Lafayette Avenue School twice a year. Half the
grade participates in each performance. It is a feast for the eyes
as 120 fourth graders convey a story donning huge plaster of paris
(at least that is what we called it in my day) heads and I me an
oversized. The heads, which take months to prepare, are used to put
on the play, the theme or story of which is different each time.
This year's show, entitled "You Don't Really Know Me," was a play
about prejudice, featuring fictional creatures, all looking very
different in appearance. The groups of creatures were prejudging
each other before getting to know each other and then, in the end,
discovering the others' positive attributes.

The theme was particularly appropriate as it was staged the week
of Martin Luther King Day.

To see this assortment of heads parading on stage is truly a
sight to see and the pride of the participants is apparent, and
highly deserved.

Fifth graders narrate the play, sitting in the middle of the
auditorium, using flashlights to light their scripts. While the
narrators are speaking, the head show actors use body language to
indicate they are "speaking." When you see your child's eyes
peeking through a hole, which is actually in the neck or mouth of
their huge head, it is truly a wonderful and amusing
sight.

At times, there are moments when the words and heads are not
exactly in sync and it can remind you a little of a dubbed Godzilla
movie, however, overall it goes smoothly.

The highlights for me, personally, come when the bodies collide,
as the actors deal with the often quite heavy, clumsy and
vision-impairing heads.

I must confess that I did count four dads sleeping around me,
however this was obviously due to a long day at the office or
perhaps low blood sugar and not in any way a reflection of the
stage show. You know who you are and you should be
ashamed.

Aside from the students and numerous parent volunteers who put
in may hours at rehearsals, much of the credit must go to Janet
Kraemer, the art teacher, writer and director of the production.
Her accomplishments with these children is nothing short of
miraculous.

Her creative genius and patience is unparalleled. We are all so
lucky that we and our children can benefit from her vision. To
coordinate the sets and 120 fourth grade actors is no simple task.
I cannot even coordinate four children to sit and eat a meal in a
civilized fashion.

I remember my fourth grade play and it was a half-hour
presentation with about 15 kids. We all had to represent our
country of origin and I was a little Scottish girl. I wore the
kilt, the starched white blouse and the cute little round plaid hat
slightly tilted to one side.

I only had one short paragraph to commit to memory. I know I put
in a lot of time studying it. Unfortunately, when it was my turn, I
stepped forward and as soon as my eyes locked on to the audience, I
froze and my mind went blank. It was al l over. Nobody learned
anything about Scotland on that day. Needless to say, I had let my
ancestors down.

Those of you who know me are likely surprised to hear that I
would have stage fright, but that wasn't the first or last time I
would choke on stage. With this special stage debut deeply
entrenched in my memory, I will tell you that what the fourth
graders did last week was simply brilliant.

Can you remember how young you really were in fourth grade? I
know that the sophistication of this head show far surpasses
anything we all could have done in fourth grade.

At the end of the head show, each line of characters is
introduced and told to reveal themselves to the cheering audience.
Their smiles say it all.

There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing pride in your
child's face. I could not contain my ear-to-ear grin as I saw the
middle "Shove and Tug" head on the left reveal himself. It truly is
a wonderful feeling.

You all need to make the effort to go to the head show. I hear
that the next show in the spring is "Alice in
Wonderland."

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In recent weeks, Long Hill Township and Watchung Borough passed ordinances allowing their police departments to be able to apply for surplus equipment from the Department of Defense. Long Hill recently procured a Humvee to use in times of flooding, which Watchung states as the reason they are getting into the program. However, in cities around the country, police forces have used the program to obtain military gear, such as weapons and armor.
For more background, go to the link below
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/echoes-sentinel/news/watchung-police-department-hopes-to-receive-equipment-from-department-of/article_12ad002a-92b3-5449-a2cc-4b2cf0ce4339.html